An air quality alert was issued in effect until Thursday at 2 p.m. for Jackson County.

According to the National Weather Service, "Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Pollution Advisory in effect until 2 p.m. Thursday. A wildfire burning in the region combined with forecast conditions will cause air quality levels to fluctuate and could be at unhealthy levels. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory for Jackson County due to smoke from the Salt Creek fire. DEQ also expects other areas of the state may see intermittent smoke from ongoing large wildfires. Smoke levels can change rapidly depending on the weather. Smoke can irritate the eyes and lungs and worsen some medical conditions. People most at risk include infants and young children, people with heart or lung disease, older adults and pregnant people. Keep windows and doors closed. If its too hot, run air conditioning on recirculate or consider moving to a cooler location. Avoid strenuous outdoor activity. Use high- efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in indoor ventilation systems or portable air purifiers. Be aware of smoke in your area and avoid places with the highest levels. When air quality improves to moderate or healthy, open windows and doors to air out homes and businesses. If you have a breathing plan for a medical condition, be sure to follow it and keep any needed medications refilled."

Air quality alerts: Recommendations from NWS

When an air quality alert is in effect, following the weather service guidance is pivotal. Here are some simple tips from the weather service for safeguarding your well-being:

Retreat indoors whenever feasible:

If you can, take refuge indoors, especially if you have respiratory concerns, underlying health conditions, or belong to the senior or child demographics.

Trim outdoor activities:

When venturing outside is unavoidable, restrict your time outdoors solely to essential activities. Reducing exposure is paramount.

Tackle pollution sources:

Be conscious of activities that contribute to pollution, such as driving cars, using gas-powered lawnmowers, or relying on motorized vehicles. Curtail their use during air quality alerts.

No open burning:

Resist the urge to burn debris or any other materials during an air quality alert. This practice only adds to the air pollution problem.

Stay well-informed:

Keep yourself informed by tuning in to NOAA Weather Radio or your preferred weather news station. Staying in the know ensures that you can make informed decisions about outdoor activities during air quality alerts.

Respiratory health matters:

If you grapple with respiratory issues or underlying health problems, exercise added caution. These conditions can render you more susceptible to the adverse effects of compromised air quality.

By adhering to the recommendations from the weather service, you can enhance your safety during air quality alerts and reduce your exposure to potentially harmful pollutants. Stay vigilant, stay protected, and prioritize your health above all else.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.